Parachute release



March 20, 1945. J. D. FORBES PARACI-IUTE RELEASE Filed Aug. '10, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORI JOHN D FORBES L M W 'ITORNEYS Patented N l ar. 20, 1 9 45 2,371,814 i i l r maorro rn RELEASE 1 John D. Forbes, San FranciscmOaIiL Application Augustll'), 1943, Serial No. 498,134

12 Claims. (01. 244-150) An object of my invention is to provide a parachute release, and it consists of the constructions, combination and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed. I v An object of my invention is to provide a para-- chute release which does not make use of a clock timing mechanism for marking oif a predetermined timeiperiod between the moment the ripcord of the device is pulled and the moment the parachute isfreed to permit it to open. The device does make use of a, novel friction means which can be adjusted to cover a desired time interval between the time the rip-cord is pulled Figure Sis a transverse section taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken along theline 6- -6 of Figurez;

and the time the parachuteis freed. The device can be used for releasing a parachute that carris freight or it can be used for releasing a parachute that carries a person.

The device is extremely compact in construction and may be readily attached to a standard parachute and will release the securing means that holds the'folded parachute a given time period after the rip-cord is pulled. The device is designed to be used with my improved parachute shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 436,761, filed March 30, 1942. In the copending case, the body of theparachute is formed from a plurality of diamond-shaped sections, each section being bounded by rigid rods whose ends are pivotally connected together by springs so that when the parachute is freed; the resiliency of the springs will immediately open the parachute. The parachute, disclosed in my co-pending application can be folded into acompact bundle and this bundle has a strap wrapped therearound whose ends are secured to the parachute release device disclosed in the present case. When the rip-cord of the parachute release devic'e is'pulled' the strap endswill be freed andthis will free the strap from the folded parachute with the result that the parchute will open.

Other objects and advantagesfwill appear in the following specification, and the novel features ofthedevic'e will be-particularly pointed out in the appended claims. g 4 My invention is illustrated in the, accompany-' ing drawings forming a part of this application, inwhich': I Figure 1 i s'a side elevation of the device; Figure 2' is a section substantially along the line of 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a. longitudinal seams" are sub-i stantiallyalong the line 3-93 of Figure 2;

tiallyalong the line i-fl of Fi ureli;

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially alongthegline1-l of Figure 3; a Figure8 is. a top plan viewof a portion oi the device and illustrates-the.wedge; n a z Figure 9 is a, sectional view of: a modified form of the invention taken substantially alongthe Figure 10 is a sectiomtaken substantially along Figure ll is-awsection taken snbstanti'allyalong Figure 1221s a transverse sectiomtaken substantially along the line l2-|2 of Figure 9 andw Figure 13 is a transverse section on an'enlarged scale taken along theline l3-l3 of Fig-i v ure 9. n n n n While: I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it shouldbe understood that various changes or imodifi'cationsmay'be made within the scope-of the appended claims without departing lfrom the spirit andscope of the hivention, a n

In carrying out myinvention I provide a base Athat may be made fr'om'any desired material.

In the present showingythe base is constructed from sheet metal and has a pairof spaced lugs I n at one end and a second pair of spaced lugs 2,

at the other end, see Figure 3. The lugs 2 have j slots 3, for receiving a handle 4; seeFigure 2. a

ceives a button 8, which in turnhas an opening The handled-has anotch 5 thereinfor receiving one end of acoil springs, l n t Figures 2 and 7 show the otheriend of the spring 6 provided with a reduced portion ithat re 9 for receiving a coiled wire; Hi. The wire Ill has an eyelet ll: formed therein which receives a re The pin 12 is connected tb-*a movable pin 12, v rip-cord I3 of thepazaci-iute.

B carried by the springrisdisposed an appre'ci able distance away from a U-shaped bolt C. The base Ahas sides I4 with pairsflof alignedsleeves i I5 for removably receiving the ends of the u bolt C, see Figure 2'. A strapD has its ends provided with' eyelets-l6 and these ends are removably secured to the base A'by the U bolt 0. l i

- I provide novel means forcausing a predeter mined time periodt'o elapse from the time the rip-cord I3 is pulledpto remove the pin l2 and free one end of the spring Ii until the spring end- -is freed and permits the block or hammer B carried by the spring to strike the U bolt and free it from the sleeve l5 so that the ends of the strap D will be freed. The strap encircles the parachute (not shown), and normally holds it in folded position. When the strap D is freed, the parachute is allowed to open.

The novel means for delaying the movement of the hammer B against the bolt 0 comprises two friction brakes; indicated generally. atE and, E". The brake E comprises a flexible. pad. IJ en-. closinga filler IS. The brake pad E is secured to the base A by rivets I 9.

v The brake E, is, i. movable toward and away from the pad E and comprises a pad mounted on a spring seatZfthe person jumps. 15.

Coiled springs 22 bear againstthe seat-J21.- and against an adjustable member 23.

Figure .2 illustrates how thebaseA- has pairs freed end of the spring 6 will slowly move between the padsand this movement will require a predetermined time period before the spring 6 will be freed from the pads. As stated, the

wedge F may be numbered to designate different time periods and adjusted to cause a. desired lapse of time to take place before the spring 6 is freed. When a pilot or other person using the device on his parachute, jumps from the aeroplane,- he pulls the rim-cord l t-at the: instant he jumpsf It is obv-ious thatlthe. ript-cordcould be attached to some part of the aeroplane so that ;it would !be automatically pulled at the time If freight is to be carried bythe'parachute, the rip-cord can be pulled at the time: therpackage with its parachute is freed from the aeroplane.

of uprights rising from the sides I 4- and. ex,

tending through recesses 25 formed in the mov able spring seat- Z-L- TheuPrights- ZE have top members-Z6, see- Figure 3; interconne cting'each pair of uprights and these transverse top members carry set screws 21. I Awedge -F is inserted between" the set sci-'e'ws-Z'l and" the floating" or adjustablemember-ZS'; The wedge has corruga tions in its upper surface forming: transverse grooves 28 in which theset screws seat.-

It-wil-P be seen that as the wedge F moved relatively to the set screws 21 the gradually increasing thickness of the-wedgewilr force the floating member 23 toward the spring seat" 2| and increase the compression of thesprings'zzi v A portion ofthe coil spring '6 is 'received between the two resilient b'ralses E. and E and any increaseof: the compressien of the springs 22 by the wedge will increase the frictional force ex entedi'by the pads in'grip'ping the coil spring 6 and. tend to prevent it. from being; pulled" too rapidly between the two brake pads. If desired, the wedge'Fmay haveanumbers on--its= corrugated surface (not shown) ,indicating different elapsed timeperiodszso. thattiie pilot or other person us"- ing.- the device, can. move? theawedge tothe de-' sired number and. willi'lmovw the. approximate time period that will elapse between the pulling oisthe rip-cord. 13s and: the freeing .of'the spring 6: from between the brake pads E; and E. As. sonm asrtherspringzi's freed; it'willa cause the hame men-B tastr ike'tlre bolt C1 and" freeilthe strap ends D: from the device; and permit. the: parachute to 'A predetermined time interval will elapse between the pulling of the pin I2 to free the spring 6 and the freeing of the spring from the brake pads.- After'this predetermined timeperiod has elapsed; the spring 5 is freed from the pads 20 and l' 'i' and-will move the hammer B against the bolt C with sufiicient force to free the bolt fromthe sleeves: l5 i-"he freeing of the bolt releases the eyelets Hi ofthe strap D and. permits the parachute to -openimmedi'atelyi No clo'ckmechanism is necessary to: control the time el'apsing mechanism and this makes the devic sturdyin; constructionand fool-proof.

A modifi'edform of the invention is shown in Figures-b te- I3 inclusive. Here the base G is in thef'orm of acasingwith a removable coverH secured thereto. A coil spring 29 has one end secured to thebase or casing G at' 30' and its other end is passed around a brake-lining 3| which in turn, is securedtoa drum 32. A- flexible and elbngated'brakememberhas one end secured to the casing G at 34 and its: other end passed From theeforegoing: description of the various ofi'the; devihe: the: operation thereof may' be readily understood. l

The strap,- D: is' normally wrapped: around? the folded parachute and the eyelets: 4'65 are secured to the base A by; the bolt 0;. In setting therde vice. the; spring 6 hasfo-ne; end secured to the base: by-the pin IZ and: then the handlel ispulled: tostretch the spring and permit thehandle to be placed inz the 'slhts 3. The spring 6: is now held under tensihn. portion-of the spring; 6 lyinghetweem th hammer 13 and the plrr ,l-Zris received betweerrthe brake members Erand. E..- The pilot or other person: who uses the: device; adiiusts the wedge J F to: place the desired number (noitshownl adjacent to the mem-' berZ-fiandz the springs .22 willbe placed under: the desired amount of compression." The springs -22 tend; to mnve the pad 20 toward the pad: M and frictionallw grip the spring 6': between the: pads; r The tensiononathe spring 6 1s such that when therap -cord; P3 pulled; to: free the t2, the

. Mitt-hat receives-the arm d1.

around a spacing sleeve 35 and secured to acoil spring 36 the free end of the spring being secured to an'arm 3?." The flexible braking member 33. bearsagain'st the portion of thespring 29" that is passed around. the brake-lining 3|; The spring 36 places the flexi-b-lebraking member 33 under tension so that this member will force thespring 2!! against the lining 31 and retard the movementoi thefs'pring between the lining and the member-33 when the spring-is freed.

The arm 3.7 is pivoted at 38 and hasits free end. 'slidea'ble in aisl'ot 39"providedi in the casing;

wall. Therslotihas recesses 40.5fm holdingthe arm' in difierent adiustedpositibns. The tension on the. springrfili'is regulated by the particular" slot. The slots 40: may be: numbered (not shown),v to indicate: different elapsed time periods H I a v It has been'stated that; one end of! the spring 291s. secured to the casing at 30.. The. other end of the same spring is secured tothe casing bya. removable. pin. 41, seeJFigurev 11-. The. pin 4| hasi a rip-cord lzattached. thereto. Ashield 43... see. Figures 9 andilfi, is placed betweenthespring 29 and the spring 3! tapreventtheformer from striking, the latterwhen'thepin is removed.

Theoperat'ion of this form. of; the device is. substantially the same as the form shown in.-Fig.- ures 1 to 8 inclusive andwill bebriefly explained.

When the rip-cord 4.2 .is pulled, the pin.- 41 is removed and the spring}! willislowly move be-. tween the brake lining 31f andj'the flexible brake member 33". A predetermined. time p eriod will elapse during this movement and the length of the time period controlledby-the position of the arm 31 in the particular recess or notch 401' moving the chute to open Whenthe spring ZS-frees itself from the brake lining-3l and member -33, it will quickly move toward the spring end 30 and willcarry the hammerllll against'the U bolt 45, withsufiicient'force to free the; bolt and the strap D. The strap D holds the parachute in folded position and when this strap is freedit will permit the parachute to; open immediately. Figures 9-and12t show the legs of the U bolt removablyfreceived in sleeves Iclaini: i 1. A parachute release comprising a'base, an

havingfoneend secured to the base,a removable pin securing the other spring end to the basej 'a rip cord connected to the pin, braking means otherspring'end to the base,*a rip cord connected to the pin, a pairiof'pads frictionally engaging with the sprlngnear the pin for retarding the f elongated coil spring'placed' under tension and frictionally engaging with the" spring near the pin forretarding the movement ofthis spring end past the brakingmeans'when the pin ls' removed, a strap holding a parachute in closed position, eyelets carried by the strap ends, a belt for removably connecting thestrap eyelets td the base, and a hammer carried by the spring and movable against the boltjwhen' the spring is'freed from the brakingmeans, said spring hammer with sufficient force agains't the bolt to free the strap andperrnit'the para- 2. A parachute e e H elongated coil spring placed under tension and having one end secured to the base, a removable pin securing the other spring end to the base, a: rip cord connected to the braking I means frictionally engaging with the spring near' the pin for retarding the movement of this spring release comprising a basepan movement of thisjspring end pastthe pads when 3 thepin is removed, spring means for urging one pad toward the other,adjustable means for varying the tension of the spring meansjwhereby the time period is varied for thebspringend to free itself from the pads after the pin is removed, a

strap holding'a parachute in closedposition, eye lets carried bythe strap ends, abolt for removably connecting thestra'p eyelets to thebase, and a hammer carried by the'spring andmovable against the bolt when'the spring is freed'from the braking means, said spring moving the ham? mer with sufficient force against the bolt to free thestrap and permitthe parachute to open.

5. A parachute release comprising a base, an elongated coil spring placedunder tension and having one end secured to the base,-a brake drum having theother end of the spring wrapped therearound, a removable pin securing the other end of the spring to the base, a rip cordcone nected to the pinga flexible braking strip frictionally engaging with the" springj portion res ceived on the drum, spring: means for yieldingly' holdingthe strip againstthe firstnained spring for retarding the movementof the spring :end

end past the braking means when the pin is re moved,'.a strap holding a parachute in closed position, eyelets carried by the strap ends, a bolt forfremovably connecting the strap eyelets'to when the pin is removed, a strap holding a para it chute in closedposition, a bolt for removably connecting the strapendsj to the base, and a a hammer carried by the spring jand movable against, the bolt when the spring isfreed irqm the drum and flexible braking strip, said spring moving the hammerwith suflicient forceagainst" the bolt to free the strap and permitthev para I chute to. open.

to thepin a flexible braking strip frictionally engaging with theispring portion received on the the frictional force exerted by the braking,

means on: the coilaspring end, whereby a pre determined and variable time period may be made to elapse between the removal of the pin and the freeing of the spring end from the braking means.

3. A parachute release comprising a base, an

elongated coil spring placed under tension and having one end secured to the base, a removable pin securing the other spring end to the base, I.

a rip cord connected to the pin, braking means including two padsfrictionally engaging with the ually adjustable 'means for varying the tension of the spring means and thereby vary the ,presspring near the pin for retarding the movement of this spring end past the braking means when the pinis removed, said braking means including adjustable spring means for moving one of the pads toward the other with the desired force for varying the length of time to free the spring end from the pads after the pin has been removed, a strap holding a parachute in closed position, eyelets carried by the strap ends, a bolt for removably connecting the strap eyelets to the base, and a hammer carried by the spring and movable against thebolt when the spring is freed from the braking means, said spring moving the hammer with suificient force against the bolt to free the strap and permit the parachute to open. 4. In combination, a base, an elongated coil spring placed under tension and having one end secured to the base, a removable pinsecuring the [ill 6. A parachuterelease comprising a 'base, an I elongated coilspring placed under tension and having oneend securedtc thebase, a brakedrum' having the other end of the spring wrapped there-I around, a removable pin securing the other, end of the spring to the base, a rip cord connected drum; spring means for j yieldingly holding. the

. strip against the first, named spring for retarding th e movement of the spring; end a when the pin is removed,a strap holding a parachute in closed position, a bolt for removably connecting the strap ends to the base, and a hammer carried by the spring and movable against the bolt when the spring is freed from the drum and flexible braking strip, said spring moving the hammer with sufficient force against the bolt to free the strap and permit the parachute to open and mansure of the strip on the first named spring, whereby the timeperiod is varied for the spring end to free itself-from the drum and strip after the pin is removed,

'7. A parachute releasejcomprising a base, an elongated coil spring placed under tension and having one end secured to the base, a removable pin securing the other spring end to the base, a rip cord connected to the pin, braking means frictionally engaging with the spring for retarding the movement of the spring past the braking means when the pin is removed, a strap holding, a parachute in closed position, a bolt for removably connecting the strap to the base, and a hammer carried bythe spring and movable against,

the bolt when the spring is freed fromthe braking means, said spring moving the hammer with sumcientzforce: agai-HStLtFhQZbOItEtQIfi'GEithe: strap andmermittheparachute;tozopen.

. 8;. A: parachute: release: comprising; a base; an elongated; coil; spring; placed: under tension; and havin one end; secured .to the;-base-,-; a. removable pin. securing; the other: spring; end: to: the base a ripacordconnertedltorthe.pin, braking ,means frice tionally engaging,- with the spring for-v retarding th'z movement: of the springzpast the braking means; when; the; pin .is removed, as strap holding; anparachute; in; closedposition, .a.--bo1.t for. remov ably connecting; the: strap. tmthesbase-ahammer carried: by, the? spring; andsmovab1e; against. the bolt when the spring isgfreeel -fromz the braking means, said springmoving. the,.-hammer with sufe ficienttforce against-the. b.olt-. to.- free:the strap and permit; the: parachute to:-.open-,.. and adjustable means-tor, varying the;frictionarforcesexertedg by th e.-.- bralrix 1g -;meansi onothei coil; spring, whereby a predetermined and variable. time periodtmay-be made: to. elapse between the; removal of; the 7 pin andathezfreeing; of the springfrom thebraking means/r r 9.; Ar. parachute.- release. comprising; a base, an

elongated. coil. pring, placed; under. tension and having; one .end secureolto the base, airemoyable. pin-securingrthe other. spring. end to the base. aripcord connected tothep n, braking :means in: cluding. two; padsw 'frictionally engaging with I the spring for. retarding themovementtot the, spring pastthe braking, meanswhen. the pin is removed. said. braking means including adjustable spring means,- f,orjmoving one-0f, the pads toward the. other, withthe desired. force for, varying the length or timetoireesthe. spring fromthe. padsafter'the pinhas. been. removed, a. strap holding a parachute in closed position, a bolt for removably.

. connecting the, strap to the base, and a. hammer carried by the spring. and movable against. the.

bolt when. the spring. is freed. from, the braking means, said spring,moving. the hammer. withlsu'fe ficient force..against; the bolt tQfflfiB. the;v strap. and permit the parachute to open.

10; In combination a base am elongated coil; spring placed under tension. and. having one end; securedto the base, ,a removablepinsecuringthe other; spring end'to the base, a rip cord'connected to the pin a pair. of pads frictionally engaging amen the-spring nastzthepadewhemthezninis removed; spring means for urging: one pad, toward; the other, adjustable meansforva-rying: the: tension or the; springrmeansn whereby the: time: period is variediorthe spring, to free: itselfi from. the pads arter; the: pin is, removed; a, strap; holding; a para.- chute; in.- closed position-, a. belt for: removably connecting; the. strapto the bases, and ahammer carried bythespring' and movable; against the bolt when the spring is freed from the braking means, said spring moving the hammer withsuffioient.. force; against the bolt to freez the; strap and permit.theparachutetolopen.

tionfor freeing; theparachuteholding means and permitting theeparachutetoopen.

12. A parachute release comprising a base,fan

elon atedcoil spring, placed, under tension and having; one. end, secured. to. the base,. removable means securing the. other-spring, end to. the base. atrip cord'for. actuating said. means. for vfreein t e sp eend', said'sn ng t nding. to. return. to s an; untensioned. eondition when. freed. by said means, springretarding,meansior retarding the movement of; the. spring. into untensioned condition when thespringendis, freed, means holding a; parachute closed, and means. actuated by the spring returning to, untensioned'. or normal; position, for freeing the parachute. holding mean and permitting; the, parachute to open, said; spring. re-

s tarding means. including adjustable/means for.

with: the spring for. retarding the movement of.

varying the'lengthof, timerequiredjor the spring o: ret rn. to normal. position, whereby the time period between. the freein of. the spring endand fl of h parachute. holding means n bevaried 1 t JOHN: D. FIORBES; 

